Imagine traveling in a small truck camper and being completely self-sufficient. You could park almost anywhere and have all the amenities you need, including a toilet and shower. It’s the kind of convenient road trip that makes memories. The best type, in our opinion!
This article explores what it’s like to have a small truck camper with a bathroom. They can be game-changers for off-grid camping, trips to places like Alaska, and more. Let’s dive in and look at your best options.
Do Truck Campers Have Toilets?
Yes, many truck campers have toilets. However, not all come equipped with a toilet, and the type of toilet can vary depending on the model and manufacturer.
Some truck campers have a built-in cassette toilet, while others have a traditional gravity flush unit. Both of these toilet types require a water source. Others may have a portable toilet that can be removed or a composting toilet that does not require a water hookup.
Pro Tip: Did you know there are six different RV toilet types you could find in a truck camper? Check out our Practical Guide to the 6 RV Toilet Types to learn more.

Do They Make Truck Campers Without Bathrooms?
Not all small truck campers have bathrooms. In the pursuit of minimalism, some manufacturers have removed a separate bathroom space in favor of being lighter and more agile.
These campers typically have a portable toilet that is pulled out, used in the greater living area, and stowed again. Some have flip-up cabinets or counters that easily expose the toilet. Instead of the bathroom taking up any room in the camper, these campers treat the commode as a no-frills necessity. Showers can usually be found only as an option outside the camper.
RV Wet Bath vs. RV Dry Bath
Larger truck campers could have dry baths or wet baths. An RV dry bath compares to a full-size bathroom in a house. It has a separate toilet and shower stall with a curtain or glass door. RV dry bathrooms usually have a sink, but some leave the sink out to save space.
An RV wet bath has a toilet and a sink inside the shower space. So the entire room has a shower wall and floor. When you shower, the toilet and sink get wet but are constructed of materials to accommodate. Wiping down the bath after taking a shower adds an extra step but limits mold and mildew build-up. Campers incorporate wet baths to save room, meaning they work well in a truck camper.
Most small truck campers with bathrooms incorporate wet baths to save space inside the RV. They also use smaller-capacity toilets like cassette toilets which reduce tank size and weight.

Benefits of Small Truck Campers
A small truck camper gives you the ability to park anywhere you normally would with the size of truck you own. You just have to compensate for the extra height when going under bridges or tree branches. So stopping for groceries or navigating in a campground shouldn’t pose a problem. You can also go off the beaten path more than you can in a motorhome or towing an RV. And you can do all this with everything you need to travel comfortably right in the bed of your truck.
Having a refrigerator, sink, and bed in the truck camper is one thing. But having a bathroom adds convenience. You can pull over at any point and have your facilities steps away.
Pro Tip: We uncovered What’s So Special About a Kimbo Camper to help you decide if it is right for you.
7 Best Small Truck Campers With Bathrooms
While there are many small truck campers out there, not all of them excel in the bathroom department. Here we’ve spotlighted seven of our favorite models to help you in your search.
1. Lance 650
The Lance 650 can fit on a half-ton truck with a 5′ or 6′ bed, making it an ideal small truck camper. It has a dry weight of 1,700 lbs and a cargo-carrying capacity of 203 lbs.
It has a queen mattress, u-shaped dinette, and kitchenette. There’s ample interior storage, including a shelf with netting above the dinette. It comes with a side awning and an optional rear door awning.
The camper has a wet bath with a plastic marine toilet with a black tank flush. A dual-pane skylight gives it natural light, and it has ducted heat in the bathroom. It also has a sink and mirror. The fresh water tank on the Lance 650 is 22 gallons, the gray tank is 15 gallons, and the black tank holds 16 gallons.
2. Lance 825
The Lance 825 can fit on a short bed truck such as a Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, or Ford-150/1500 series. It has a dry weight of 1,837 lbs and a cargo-carrying capacity of 318 lbs.
It has frameless tinted dual pane windows, a queen mattress, a dinette, and a kitchenette in true Lance quality. Plus, it has a stereo system and USB chargers conveniently placed in the cab next to the bed.
The Lance 825 truck camper features a wet bath. It has a plastic marine toilet with a black tank flush. There it has a dual-pane skylight in the bath and ducted heat. It also has a removable towel rod and a sliding bath door. This model does not have a sink in the bath. The fresh water tank holds 30 gallons, the gray tank holds 13 gallons, and the black tank holds 14 gallons.
3. Northstar Liberty
Northstar’s Liberty fits ultra-short bed trucks, 5′ 6″ to 5′ 10″ long, and standard short beds, 6′ 4″ to 6′ 10″ long. The small truck camper has a dry weight of 1,775 lbs.
The Liberty has a queen mattress, dinette, and kitchen. There’s also a surprising amount of storage in this small truck camper. In addition, it has an exterior USB port and a Maxxfan inside.
It has a wet bath with a cassette toilet. The bathroom does not have a sink. The Liberty features an auto-ignition water heater. The fresh water tank contains 20 gallons, and the cassette fresh water tank holds 4 gallons. The gray tank for the shower and kitchen sink holds 13 gallons. And the cassette’s black tank holds 5 gallons.
4. Adventurer 80RB
The Adventurer 80RB can fit on light-duty super short to long truck beds from 5.5′ to 8′ long. The truck camper has a dry weight of 1,762 lbs.
The interior features a queen bed over the cab, and a 72-inch sofa that converts into a 40-by-72-inch bed. There features a wardrobe and nightstand with a drawer next to the queen bed. It also has a small galley kitchen with a refrigerator on the opposite wall.
The Adventurer 80RB has a wet bath and a one-piece fiberglass pan shower. There is a dual-layer skylight and 12V power exhaust fan in the bathroom. It has a Dometic toilet with a foot flush. The fresh water tank is 15 gallons, and it has a 4-gallon water heater. Both the gray and black water tanks can hold 6 gallons.
5. Travel Lite Up Country 775
Travel Lite’s Up Country 775 camper is compatible with half-ton trucks and has a dry weight of 1,722 lbs.
This floor plan features a 60″ by 74″ bed with storage on both sides and a dinette that converts to a bed for additional sleeping space. The kitchen has a stainless steel sink, two-burner stove, microwave, and 12V refrigerator. Next to the kitchen is a storage closet.
The wet bath in the Up Country 775 has a toilet, shower and vent fan. As for tank capacities, you’ll have 13 gallons for fresh water and 5 gallons for gray.
Pro Tip: Before you make a decision, make sure you don’t go too small with your RV.
Pro Tip: Living in a truck camper is great for someone who leads a minimalistic and efficient lifestyle. Discover if full-time truck camper living is right for you: Can You Live Full-Time in a Truck Camper?
6. Palomino Backpack HS-750
The Palomino Backpack HS-750 is designed to fit on a half-ton truck with a short or long bed. The dry weight of this small truck camper is 1,870 lbs.
Storage and an entertainment center are on one side of the queen-size cab-over bed. In the living area, you’ll find a jack-knife sofa next to a 3-way fridge. Opposite the sofa is the kitchen with a two-burner stove, microwave, and sink. This unit also has a Maxx Air vent fan for increased air flow inside the unit and frameless windows that give the camper a high-end feel.
The Backpack HS-750 has a wet bath with a gravity flush toilet and black tank capacity of 8 gallons. The shower has a skylight and vent on the ceiling as well as a shelf along the side wall for toiletries. You’ll appreciate the on demand water heater and the 21 gallon fresh water and 8 gallon gray water tanks for long hot showers.
7. Northstar 650SC
The Northstar 650SC fits ultra-short bed trucks or standard short beds. So it can fit on a 5′ 6″ to 6′ 10″ long truck bed. It has a dry weight of 1,610 lbs.
This model has a pop-up top, providing lower clearance when compact. It has a queen bed over the cab with storage on both sides. It also has a couch dinette and a corner galley kitchen. And it has a Maxxfan Plus with a rain cover for good ventilation in most weather conditions.
The Northstar 650SC has a wet bath with a cassette toilet and shower. Its fresh water capacity is 20 gallons, and the cassette fresh water tank is 4 gallons. The gray water holding for the shower and kitchen sink is 13 gallons. And the cassette black water tank holds 5 gallons.
Pro Tip: Already own a flatbed truck? Did you know you can put a truck camper on it? Read more here: Can You Put a Truck Camper on a Flatbed Truck?
What Size Truck Is Needed for a Truck Camper?
The size of the truck needed for a truck camper depends on the weight and size of the camper. Truck campers are designed to fit into the bed of a pickup truck and can range in weight from one thousand to several thousand pounds. It’s critical to choose a truck with a sufficient payload capacity to safely carry the weight of the camper and any additional gear or passengers.
Generally, a full-size one-ton pickup truck with a long bed is recommended for most truck campers, but it’s important to check the weight and dimensions of your specific camper to determine the appropriate size truck. For example, some of the small truck campers on our list above could safely fit on a half-ton truck with a short bed.
Enjoy Next Level Road Trips in a Small Truck Camper
Are you ready to travel in one of these small truck campers? We hope you get to a dealer and walk through them. A truck camper can take your camping and road trips to the next level. Having all you need, including a bathroom, makes for a stellar journey.
Which small truck camper can you envision yourself traveling in? Drop a comment below!
Become A Mortons On The Move Insider
Join 10,000+ other adventurers to receive educating, entertaining, and inspiring articles about RV Travel Destinations, RV Gear, and Off-Grid Living to jump-start your adventures today!
Clayton
Friday 19th of November 2021
I wish you would state the fact that most 1/2 ton pick ups are overloaded with any these campers . The one at 1400 lbs by the time you put you say ave 150 lbs x2 people that’s 300 lbs + 1400 =1700 plus all the stuff you have to have & want to bring , food water extra shoes boots cloths jackets cameras binoculars hats gloves rain coats phones other beverages goodies , just figure what you carry yourself , & then unless you special order a Ford had f 150 which is rated I believe @ 3300 lbs carrying capacity , I’m been camping since the 60s, 3 different truck campers couple trailers ,I had a lance 815 on a f 250 w a v10max load was 8800 , after I loaded it up ready to go over 9100 with 2 people an all our stuff I mentioned above . I had to extra over load springs to rear & special rubber suppendion helper w 10 ply tires it still leaned but not as scary!Clayton I also had an 1172 w/ diesel & duallies , that’s what most truck campers need , no scary leans with that
Yves Soucy
Friday 5th of November 2021
Great article. These are all nice small truck campers. I noticed you didn't mention the palomino 750s yet it was pictured at the front of this article. Oversight? I have the palomino on my half ton titan. My truck carries it easily and I love it.
Clayton Vedder
Thursday 12th of August 2021
My only comment is most 1/2 ton pickups un less special ordered can not carry 1300 lbs , just add up the additional of two people & all there stuff food clothing water extra this & that you’re way over the vehicles weight load not counting the tire over load! Even the lightest pop up truck camper is to heavy , you really need 3/4 ton just for tire load!
Mortons on the Move
Sunday 15th of August 2021
We always encourage buyers to know the specs of their camper and vehicle before making any buying decisions. In fact, we wrote a whole article about finding the right truck for a truck camper: https://www.mortonsonthemove.com/best-truck-for-a-truck-camper/ We hope it helps anyone who might be unsure about their trucks' capabilities.
Marty Main
Tuesday 10th of August 2021
I am waiting and watching for the details of overlander 4x4 truck cabover camper build. Even though we have a heavy duty truck carrying my Jeep and pulling my 5th wheel RV trailer, I have some interest in something smaller and more agile that can carry us into more remote boondocking locations. Loved your north pole adventures and technical explanations. I too, had JC Refrigeration (Dutch Aire) convert our Dometic fridge to 12vdc. Works great. See our remodel at https://youtu.be/diYMsdVZIk0